Device



March 18, 1924. 1,485,880

F. H. GRIFFITHS LlQUID DISPENSING AND MEAUSURING DEVICE Filed Feb'. v,1922 5 sheets-sheet 1 March 18, 1924. 1,486,880

F. H. GFUFFITHS LlQUlD DISPENSING AND MEASURING DEVICE March l18 1924.

F. H, GRIFFITHS LIQUID DISPENSING AND MEASURXNG DEVICE Filed Feb. v,

1.922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 18, 1924.

UNITEDl STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS H. GRIFFITHS, 0F SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOE OFONE-HALF TO J. EDVJARD EVANS, OF NEIN' YORK, N. Y.

LIQUID DISPENSING AND MEASURING DEVICE.

Application filed February 7, 1922. Serial No. 534,730.

To aZ/ whom if may concern:

it lrnown that l, FnANoijs H. Grnirrrrrs, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing in the city of Springlield, county of Hampden, andState ot Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useiulImprovements in Liquid Dispensing and Measuring Devices, oit which thefollowing is a speciiication. Y

This invention is particularly applicabie to liquid measurir anddispensing devices used in connection with the vending ont gasolino andoils oi any hind. It is, however, not limited to such fields ofusefulness, but has a widn variety of applications to the dispensing.;and measuring ot liquids.

The general object oit the invention is to provi(4 a new and improvedliquid dispensing und incase-,ring` device which is simple inconstruction and ei'licient in operation, and whiuh will `measure withaccuracy different desired quantities of thevliquid to be dispensed.

In many liquid dispensing and measuring devices heretofore devised,the'construction is such that, even. when the device is honestlymanipulated, inaccurately measured qua-ntities of liquid are dispensed.In others, while the device may dispense accurate amounts oi liquid itproperly adjusted and actuated, it is a more or less easy matter for adishonest operator, without being detected by an ordinary observer,togso manipulate the device that the amounts of liquid dispensed by itwill be less than the amounts which should be oi penseel under theconditions under which the device is supposed to be operating.

A particular object oi my invention is to provide a new and improvedform et liquid dispensing and measuring d vice which'will not onlymeasure accurately when normally manipulated, but which cannot readilybe dishoncstly operated in such a manner as to give short meiA iure. Oneoi" the features of my dispensiug` device is a measuring tanlr which canbe readily observed by the`vpurcha r ei the liquid to be dispensed; and,oi the purchaser takes the trouble to observe the liquid level in thistank at the beginning oi* and at the end of the dispensing operai tion,he can 'feci confident that no manipulation of the mechanism by theoperator can affect the accuracy of the amout of liquid which hasactually been dispensed.

The invention will be understood from the following description, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which a i)referredembodiment oi the invention is illustrated, and in which Figure l is anelevation of the device, the dispensing hose being omitted, and thecasing being removed so as to show the mechanism; Figure 2 is anelevation taken at right angles to Figure l; Figure 3 is an elevationsimilar to Figure l, but with the casing and the dispensing' hoseattached, the bottom portion of the de vice being omitted; Figure 4 issectional elevation of the upper portion of the device, showingparticulariy the parts thru which the liquid passes; Figure 5 is anelevation Vtaken at right angles to Figure e, the cap plate over thevalve chamber being removed to show the mechanism within; Figure 6 is aplan view of the top of the device, with the measuring tanlr and thecover over the measuring pipe removed; and Figure 7 is a fragmentarysectional elevation on the line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Referring to the drawings, the various parts of the dispensing andmeasuring device are shown as contained within a casing i0 which may beot sheet metai secured to a suitable trame which may also support thevarious parts of the device hereinafter described. The casing l0 may beprovided with a window il. thru which certain parte hereinafterdescribed are visiole, and with a door (not shown) of any suitable kindthru which access may be had to the manually operable elements by whichthe dispensing and measuring device is controlled. Mountn ed above thecasing l0 and upon the frame by which the casing is supported, is a ing13, hereinafter described in detail, which supports a measuring?,` tankwhich Yhay consist oi an open ended hollow glass cylinder i5 which restswithin a flange i6 on the casting i8, and at its top is covered by a cap18. The cap 18 maybe provided with a recess i9 within which may bemounted an iucandescent lamp 20, the latter being supported from a cover22 which may be removable from the cap 18, the bottom ci the recess 19being closed by a piece of glass 2e secured in an annular recess inthebottom die of the cap 18 in any suitable manner, as by a bezel 25.Light from the lamp 20 radiates downwardly thru the glass 24 andilluminates the contents of the measuring tank 15. Current for the lamp20 may be supplied in any suitable manner, as by wires threaded within aconduit 27 and connected to a suitable source of current supply.

The liquid to be dispensed and measured may be supplied to the measuringtank in any suitable manner and by any suitable means. As shown, thismeans comprises a pump 28, of any suitable form, having` an intake pipe29 connected` to a source of liquid supply, such as a tank located underthe ground. The outlet pipe 30 of the pump is connected to a riser pipe31 which extends upwardly and is threaded into a cored hole 32 extendingthru the casting 18 into the measuring tank. Threaded into the upper endof the hole 32 and extending vertically within the measuring tank nearlyte the top thereof, is a iilling pipe 88 which may have secured to itsend an umbrella cap 34 which directs the liquid downwardly as it escapesfrom the end of the iilling pipe. The pump 28, which is shown as beingof the piston type, may be driven by an electric motor 3G having avertically arranged shaft which is geared to the pump thru the medium'of speed reduction gearing enclosed in a casing 38, a crank 39 and aconnecting rod 40 pivotally connected at 41 to the piston rod 42 of thepump. The motor 36 receives current thru Wires 45 leading thruy theconduit 27 to a suit-able source of current supply, the starting andstopping of the motor being controlled by a switch 46 of the type whichmaintains the controlled circuit closed only while a button 4? is helddepressed. the switch being arranged to open when this button isreleased.

In addition to the filling pipe 83 thru which the measuring tank isiilled, the latter is provided with an overflow pipe 48 thru whichexcess liquid in the measuring tank may flow back to the source ofsupply. This pipe 48, like the pipe 33, at its lower end is threadedinto the upper end of a hole 49 cored thru the casting 13; and threadedinto the lower end of the hole 49 is a pipe 50 which leads to the sourcefrom which the pump 28 draws the liquid to be dispensed. The upper endof the overflow pipe 48 is arranged at the level in the mea. uring tankcorresponding' with the mart mum amount of liquid to be measured by thedevice in one operation thereof; that is, if the maximum amount whichthe device is intended to dispense and measure at one operation is fivegallons, the overflow pipe 48 is so arranged that it will drain off fromthe measuring tank any liquid in excess of theiive gallon amount. Sinceboth the nlling pipe 33 and the overflow pipe 48 are immovable, it isimpossible to drain the measuring tank thru them below the levelcorresponding to the maximum amount which the tank is intended tomeasure.

The means whereby the liquid in the measuring tank is dispensed, eitheras a whole or in fractional amounts, will now be described. Referring toFigure 4, the casting 13 is shown as provided with an opening 53 thruwhich the contents of the measuring tank if.: may be drained into avalve chamber 54 formed in the casting 13 and provided with a cover 56which may be secured in place by bolts 57 or-in any other suitablemanner. Extending from the valve chan'iber 54, su are two cored passageswithin the casting 18, and communication between the chamber and theseconduits is controlled by valves 58 and 59 which may be similar inconstruction. rlhese valves are shown'as having valve cages 60,removably mounted in the mouths of the conduits leaning from the valvechamber 54, said having valve seats wir Vwhich eo-operate valves 62mounted on valve rods 63 which are slidable in the cages GO, springs G5being provided for biasing the valv to their cl sel positions. lnconnection h these valves, 58 and 59, means is provided whereby only oneof said valves can be opened at any one time. his means comprises apivoted valve operating mechanism which eo-op'natcs with said valves andis arranged to open one valve when said mechanism toted in one Si ii isroL direction, and to open the other va lve when said mechanism isrotated in the opposite direction. As shown, this meel anisin prises ashaft titl iournaled in opi t of the chamber 54 and at one enc ente'outwardly thru a stui'iing bos; S8 L well known type. l l ited on and sei' to the shaft 66 are arms ZO having rods 63 and co-operate with discs71 secured thereto. At its outer end, the shaft 6G has secured thereto ahorizontally extending lever 73 to the outer end of which is pivot allyconnected an actuating rod T4 which extends downwardly and may beprovided with a handle 55. ldlith this arrangement, it is obvious th itwhen the rod 7 4 is noi'ed upwardly or downwardly Uri - vided tor thatpurpose.

fore, the valve 58 is opened, the contents of the measuring tank is freeto ilow from the tank thru the opening 53 into the valve chamber 54,thru the valve 58 and the passage 78 to the dispensing hose 80.

The opening 53, valve chamber 54 and passage 78 thus constitute acondui-t through which the contents of the tank may be delivereddirectly to the dispensing hose 80.

Another conduit is provided for delivering the contents of the tank tothe dispensing hose 80 and which has therein means whereby the level towhich the measuring f7 tank drained through said conduit may becontrolled. This second conduit includes a passage 82 termed in thecasting 13 and communicating with the chamber 54 through a valve 59, achamber 93 with which the passage 82 communicates, and a gauging pipe 84which extends through the chamber 93 and communicates therewith throughan opening or port 85, the lower end oit` said pipe being closed and theupper end, which constitutes the discharge end, being open. This pipe 84is vertically slidable through the chamber 93 and passes through boththe bottom and top of said chamber, stuiiing boxes 91 and 86 beingvprovided to make a tight joint. The upper discharge end of the pipe 84which extends through the stutling box 86 is covered by a cylindricalcasing 87, which is bolted to a seat on the top of the casting 13 pro-The space within the casing 87 is `in communication with the passage 78leading to the dispensing hose 80 through an annular cored opening 88,best shown in Figs. 6 and 7, a portion of thc lower inside edge of thecasing 87 being cut away as shown at 89 adjacent the opening 88. Thecasing 87 is provided with an air vent 90 near its upper end which, ashereinafter explained. prevents any Siphon action through the dispensinghose 80.

The second conduit, therefore, through which the contents of the tank 15may be dispensed includes the chamber 54, passage 82, chamber 93 andgauging pipe 84, this conduit being controllediby the valve 62.

This second conduit has communication with the dispensing hose 80through the casing 87, ope j and part ot the passage 78,

" ,ring a third conduit.

these 'i The length. oit the chamber 93 is such that throughout themovement of the pipe 84, the opening 85 therein is always incommunication with the chamber 93 and the passage 82. The stutling boxes86 and 91 may be of any well known form, and as shown comprise glandswhich are threaded into the castings 13 and 92 respectively and serve tocompress packing material 1ocated in annular cavities between the pipe84 and those castings. From the foregoing description, it will beapparent that when the valve 62 is opened there will be a passage forthe liquid from the measuring tank, thru the opening 53, the valvechamber 54, the valve 62, passage 82, the opening 85 into the pipe 84,and thru the latter and its open top end into the chamber within thecasing 87 from which the liquid is free to flow thru the annular opening88 into the passage 78 and thence to the dispensing hose 80. It willalso be apparent that when the valve 62 is opened the liquid will bedrained from the tank 15 only to the level of the top or discharge endot the gauging pipe 84 and the vertical position of said pipe,therefore, determines the amount which will be withdrawn from the tank15.

As stated above the gauging pipe 84 is vertically adjustable and,therefore, by properly adjusting the position thereof the tank 15 may bedrained to any desired level.

Mounted on the bottom of the pipe 84 is a handle 98 by which the pipe 84may be raised and lowered. The hub of the handle 98 is preferablyprovided with a lug 99 adapted to co-operate with slots in stops 100,101, 102 and 103 adjustably mounted on a rod 105 which may be secured ina stationary position in any suitable manner, as by bfing mounted in alug 107 extending from the casting 91 and in one of the cross frames108. The length oli the pipe 84 is such, and the stops 100, 101, 102 and103 are so located, that movement ot the handle 98 into co-operationwith any one ot these stops results in locating the upper end of thepipe 84 on a level corresponding to a certain fractional portion of themeasuring tank. For example, it the capacity ot the measuring tank istive gallons, movement of the handle 98 into engagement with the stops100, 101, 102 and 103, respectively, will result in locating the top ofthe pipe 84 on a line with the one, two, three and Jiour gallon levelsof the measuring tank, counting from the top thereof.

The mode of operation of the dispensing and measuring device is asfollows: Assuming that the device has been assembled and connected witha source of supply which, in the case of gasoline, may be a tank locatedunder ground, depression (et the button 47 et the motor controllingswitch 46 will start the motor driven pump in operation and keep it inoperation as long as the button 47 is held depressed. By the operationof the pump 28, liquid will be drawn thru the pipe 29 and will be forcedupwardly thru the outlet pipe 30, riser pipe 31, cored hole 32 in thecasting 13, and iilling pipe 33 into the measuring tank, and thru theopening 53 into the valve chamber 54. Assuming, as above stated, thatthis is the irst opera- CII chamber t valve 59 and lill the 1t 82, cluber pipe 84. The valve shoul also be opened momentarily in order to let*he liquid :fill the lower portion ol it YG. Ehereafter, during use tce, these con uits and pasined filled reon oit the device, ll] hen themeasled sufciently So owing into the overback to the source of releasesthe button 47 pump stops. As soon firing tank above pine 48 has liquidstands suppl me cpf` and the motor-driven as the liquid the lef-r orflowed out in the n sa; im height correspondnigg` the amount et liquid,say live gallons, e device is intended to diepen to dispense at one timethe whole of the cont" the measuring tank, the handle is l therebyopening the va upon tne liquid in the tank flows there Vru the openinga, valve 58, and passage Z8 to the dispensing hose 80. rlhe vent 90 inthe casing),` Si" admits ai.1 and will prevent any tendency 'for thedispensing hose 8O to Siphon the liouid out et the valve chamber 54below a level corresponding approximately with the bottom et thehorizontal portion oit the conduit 7S.

however, the demand is for only a portion of the liquid in the measuringtank, say, one, two, three or tour gallons, the gaugfi e pipe 84tisadjusted, either before or aiter the meas'crinp, J is illed, to theheight correspond'ng?,` te tie amount ot liquid to be dispensed, bymoving the handle 98 until the lun' 99 thereon co-acts with theappropriate stop 100, lOl, 102 or 108. The handle 7 is then depressed,the valve operating," mecl'ianism opens the valve 62 which rlllows thel' d to itlow from the nufasurine' tank 1 opening; 53 into the valvechfuiber tlowing out of the top or the pipe Sil falls downwardly withinthe casina; 8'?, passes thru the cored opening` 88 into the passage 78,and thence to the dispensing` hose 80. rl"he vent 90 in the casing` 8'?irevents any Siphon action, and causes the flow to stop incasso when theliquid in the measuring tank has fallen to the level or the top ot thetube Se.

lt will be apparent that, with my device, movement of the measuring pipe@il does not in the least atleet the accuracy ot the measurements. rlhisis because the pipe 84E, chamber 93 and conduit 82 are at all 'timesmaintained full of liquid; and because movement of the pipe Sil does notat all change the capacity et the pipe 8st, the chamber 93 and thepassage 82. ln other words, the pipe 8st, in all oits positions,displaces the same amount of liquidwithin a portion of the device whichis always maintained filled.

Besides insuring accurate measurement under all conditions, my devicehas the added advantages, among others, that it not only allows themeasuring tank to be quickly drained ot its maximum amount, but alsothat it permits fractional amounts to he drawn trom the dispensing tankwitlr out lirst returning,` to the source of supply an excess over theamount which it is desired to dispense, as in the cas-e ot many devicesheretofore used.

lllhile l have shown one 'form in which my invention may be embodied, lrealize that this Ylform may be modified in many respects withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention, and it is my intention inthe appended claims to cover all equivalent structures which come withinthe scope thereof.

lll/r hat l claim is:

l. ln a liquid dispensing and measu device, a measuring tank, means forililnn said tank, and means tor draining said tank to ditlerent levelscomprising,- a conduit communicating with said tank and l naving anoutlet, a part of said conduit being` adjustable as to the level ot itsoutlet, a valve in said conduit located between the tank and saidoutlet, and a second conduit thru which the liquid flowing trom theoutlet in the first conduit is dispensed.

2. ln a liquid dispensing and measuring` device, a measuring` tank,means for lilling` said tank to a certain level, and means fordraining,` said tank to different levels coniprising a conduitcommunicating with the bottom of said tank and having a, outlet, a partof said conduit being` adjustable as to the level olf its outlet, avalve in said con duit located between the tank and said outlet, and asecond conduit thru wi ich the liquid flowing `trom the outlet ot theEirst conduit is dispensed.

3. ln a liquid dispensing and measuring device, a measuring,l tank,means for lill in; said tank, and means for draining said tank todifferent levels comprising` a conduit communicating with said tank andhaving an outlet, a part ot said conduit being adjustable as to thelevel of said outlet, a valve in said conduit located between the tankand said outlet, a second conduit thru which the liquid flowing from theoutlet in said first conduit is dispensed, a third conduit thru whichliquid may pass from said tank directly to the second mentioned conduit,and a valve in said third mentioned conduit.

4. In a liquid dispensing and measuring device, a measuring tank, meansfor filling' said tank, and means for draining said tank to dillercntlevels comprising a conduit co1nmunicating with said tank and having anoutlet, a part of said conduit being adjustable as to the level of saidoutlet, a normally closed valve in said conduit located between the tankand said outlet, a second conduit thru which the liquid flowing from theoutlet in said first conduit is dispensed, a third conduit thru whichliquid may pass from said tank directly to the second mentioned conduit,a normally closed valve in said third mentioned conduit, and meanswhereby only one of said valves can be opened at any one time.

5. In a liquid dispensing and measuring device, a measuring tank, means`lor filling said tank, and means for draining said tank to dill'crentlevels comprising a conduit coinmunicating with said tank and having anoutlet, a part of said conduit being adjustable as to the level of saidoutlet, a normally closed valve in said conduit located between the tankand said outlet, a second conduit thru which the liquid llowing from theoutlet in said first conduit is dispensed, a third conduit thru whichliquid may pass from said tank directly to the second mentioned conduit,a normally closed valve in said third mentioned conduit, and a pivotedvalve operating mechanism co-operating with said valves and arranged toopen one valve when said mechanism is rotated in one direction and toopen the other valve when said mechanism is rotated in the oppositedirection.

6. In a liquid dispensing and measuring device, a measuring tank, meansfor filling said tank, means for draining said tank comprising a valvechamber communicating with said tank, a conduit extending from saidvalve chamber, a dispensing pipe connected to said conduit, a valvecontrolling communication between said valve chamber and said conduit, asecond conduit communicating with said valve chamber, a valvecontrolling communication between the second conduit and said valvechamber, a vertically arranged movable pipe having a closed bottom endand an open upper discharge end and an opening intermediate the endscommunicating with said second conduit, and means for directing liquidflowing from the upper end ot said adjustable pipe to the dispensingpipe.

7. In a liquid .ieasuring and dispensing device, the combniation with ameasuring tank, of an outlet pipe, means connecting said tank and outletpipe, said outlet pipe having a closed bottom a d an open upperdischarge end always d the discharge end with the liquid te cedispensed, said pipe having its dis liargc end vertically adjustablebetween positions below the top and above the bottom of the tank,whereby the tank can l' i drained to different levels by adjusting thelevel ol said discharge end.

8. In a liquid dispensing and measuring device, the combination with ameasuring tank, or an outlet pipe, means connecting said tank and outletpipe, said outlet pipe having a closed bottom an open upper dischargeend and alwfys lilled to the discharge end with the li Luid to bedispensed, a valve controlling the iiow of liquid through said pipe, thelatter having its discharge end vertically adjustable between positionsbelow the top and above the bottom ot the tank, whereby the tank can bedrained to different levels by an adjustment of said discharge end.

9. In a liquid dispensing and measuring device, the combination vwith ameasuring tank, oit means for draining the tank to diiferent levelsincluding a chamber communieating with the tank which is always filledwith the liquid to be dispensed, vertically adjustable gauging pipepassing vertically through said chamber, said pipe having an openingwhich communicates with the chainber in all positions of the pipe andalso having a closed lower end and an open upper discharge end.

10. In a liquid dispensing and measuring device, in combination with ameasuring tank, means 'for draining the to difierent levels comprising avertically adjustable pipe having an open upper discharge end and aclosed lower end, means for connect ing said pipe with said measuringtank, and a valve located in said means between the measuring tank andsaid ad'ustable pipe for controlling the low of iquid thru saidadjustable pipe.

l1. In a liquid dispensing and measuring device, a measuring tank, avalve chamber located below said tanl. and communicating therewith, twonormally closed valves controlling ports communicating with said valvechamber, means for opening either of said valves while the other remainsclosed, a passage leading from one valve port, a dispensing pipeconnected thereto, a passage leading from the other valve port to thefirst passage, and a vertically adjustable pipe having an open endinterposed in said last mentioned passage and regulating the level towhich the tank may be drained thru that passage.

12. ln a liquid dispensing and measuring device, the combination With ameasuring 5 tank, of a chamber communicating with the tank and alwaysfilled With liquid to be dispensed, a gauging pipe passing verticallythrough said chamber and having a lower closed end and an upperdischarge end, said 10 pipe having communication With the chamber in allpositions of the pipe, a dispensing hose and means for delivering to thedispensing hose the liquid discharged from the gauging pipe, saidgauging pipe being vertically adjustable thereby to drain the measuringtank to different levels.

In testimony whereof li have axed my signature to this specification.

FRANCES H. GRFFKTHS.

